Banding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A banding apparatus for opening a substantially continuous ribbon of flattened flexible tubular material such as cellulose and severing that opened material to the desired length. Such apparatus includes a roll supported floating material which is actively positioned for internal engagement with the material by a pair of driven feed rollers. An electronic or similar control system synchronizes the feeding, cutting and positioning of an article to be enclosed by the severed sleeve of material.

United States Patent [72] Inventor WilliamA.Abrecht Short Hills, NJ. [2]] Appl. No. 856,951 [22] Filed Sept. 11, 1969 [45] Patented July 27, 1971 [73] Assignee Dart industries, Inc.

Los Angeles, Calif.

[54] BANDING APPARATUS 16 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

521 user 53/3, 53/198B,53/291 51] lm.Cl HB65bl3/00. B67b5/00 5o 1 FieldofSearch 53/241.

[56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,765,607 10/1956 Aguilar et a1. 53/291 2,846,835 8/1958 Aguilar et a1. 226/8 X 2,982,068 5/1961 Pape et a1. 53/198X 3,269,087 8/1966 Cloud et a1. 53/183 3,287,881 11/1966 Jelling et alm. 53/241 X 3,308,601 3/1967 Masters 53/241 X 3,412,523 11/1968 Raymond et al 53/197 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner Neil Abrams Arrorneys- Leight B. Taylor, Paul R. Wylie and Harold R.

Beck

ABSTRACT: A banding apparatus for opening a substantially continuous ribbon of flattened flexible tubular material such as cellulose and severing that opened material to the desired length. Such apparatus includes a roll supported floating material which is actively positioned for internal engagement with the material by a pair ofdriven feed rollers. An electronic or similar control system synchronizes the feeding, cutting and positioning of an article to be enclosed by the severed sleeve of material.

PATENTEDJULZ'IB?! 3594- INVENTOR Mum 1A 146F500 ATTORNEY BANDING APPARATUS This invention relates to a device for applying tubular bands or sleeves to a variety of products or product packages..More particularly, the invention relates to an applicator construcseal interconnecting the package cover or closure and the I container itself. Such seals in overlapping both the cover and container create a tamper and pilferproofpackage, assure a hermetical seal therebetweemand present a more attractive package. Additional utility forthese devices may encompass 'tion for feeding an elongated continuous ribbon of flattened the application of protective sleeves to glassware, thus I eliminating the need for individual paper.or cardboard wrapping, and to packaging per se where the sleeve only will encase the product.

Various sleeve materials may be employed with{ this ap-v paratus, several of which are cellulosics, shrinkable ther-- moplastics, and polyethylene or similar nettings..As indicated, these may function as sealing, protectingand/or encasing media but for the purpose of this disclosure, emphasis svill hereinafter be placedupon sealing acontainer and itsclosure; Further, the included discussions will relate principally to the use of a flexibleflattened ribbon of cellulose which, to be properly maintained without premature shrinking, must be stored in formaldehyde, alcohol, glycerineor some other suitable liquid.

I For convenience in manufacturing, shipment and use,,this tubular cellulose material is flattened andspooledilttherefore must be opened to its original tubular form and severed into. the desired lengths as it is applied in use. his to this endthat this invention is directed.

It therefore is the primary objectives of this invention to produce a seal applicator apparatus which more simply, effectively and efficiently will position a tubular sleeve on a container or similar product or package. In accomplishing these 5 objectives and overcoming the problems of the prior art, this device provides a plural positive feeding action exterior and interior of the flexible flattened tubular material. Contact between the container and apparatus and relative movement of. these towards each other to effect that contact is eliminated. A portion on the upper part of the floating mandrel is constructed to oversize (i.e., stretch) the tubular material prior to its being finally opened and inserted over the container.

Additionally, the mandrel, in its operational position 'ibetween the feed roller system,.is stabilized-by the placement idler rolls on-the mandrel. These rolls also assist in the positive feeding mentioned, which feeding isfurther improved due to a pressure loading that may be adjustably applied between the 20 idler rolls and feed rollers. The added stability and accurate feed also. now makeit feasible to employ electronics-sensing :meansto activate and synchronize the related feeding and cutting functions responsive to the perception of indicia on the material.

These and additional objectives, uses and advantages of the invention will become. more apparent upon reference to the following description, claims and appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 isa top plan view in partial cross section showing the feed roller and cutter arrangement of the invention;

FIG. 2 is-a front elevation of the floatingmandrel with the "feed rollers and a;ribbon-sensing device showninphantom;

FIG. is a vertical cross section of the floating mandrel .taken along line 3-.3' in FIG. 2;

FIG. dis a side -view of the application device partially 5' broken away; and

Prior art devices for the application of these tubular sleeves.

plastics, as are mentioned, to themselves. Thus, a flattened,

ribbon of cellulose tends to stick together andresistszefforts directed to its opening. Further, because it is necessary to maintain cellulose in a fluid bath, nonuniform coefficients of friction throughout the feed train may cause variations in-cut lengths of material. This in turn may=result in defective sealing, improper registry of printed matter on the material and apparatus jamming or plugging.

'Several of these devices also necessitate abutment between the ribbon opening mandrel and the top of the .bottle or'container. This, of course, presents the-possibility of damage to the bottle and mandrel, as well as requiring that either the bottremity of the opening mandrel. This also creates maintenance.

and operational problems.

Another problem is caused by the shrinkage of the cellulose material prior to its arrival at the opening mandrel and con-- tainer top. As noted, this material is maintained in a fluid bath and, upon its removal therefrom, drying and consequently shrinkage begins. Thus, upon its arrival at the opening mandrel; the material may already be undersize. This-then further complicates opening because it must be stretched back to size as it is pushed over the forming section of the mandrel and onto the container. This creates an additional resistance to the forward feedingof the material and therefore contributes to the problems noted above.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross section of tlie floatingmandrel showing the idler rollerarrangement and taken along line 5-5 .of FIG. 3.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings -wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the. various views, and with initial attention .directed to FIG. 1, referencenumeral I0 is used to specify the feed roller assembly of the invention. This assembly includes a pair of opposed feedrollers I4 which when operational are 'pressed together in side-by-side relationship forming roller nip :26. The feed roller frame llsupports the rollers 14 in bearings 20 and bearing mounts 18 both of which are interconnected to the frame.

Each roller, ,of course, is securely positioned on a suitable ;shaft'-l6 which is, in turn, supported by the bearing 20, in frame '12. Any satisfactory fastening means, such as set screws 15 'may be employedto secure the,rollers to their respective shafts.

The feed rollers 14 are resiliently covered as for example by rubber 17 which material is centrally grooved as at 28. These grooves are intended to mate as is seen in FIG. 1 forming a cylindrical opening between the rollers at nip 26. This opening is adapted to accommodate a support rod- 84 more fully 60 describedbelow.

position by a locking mechanism 50. This mechanism may also be attached to the stationary portion of the frame through an axle mounting 54. To this axle is mounted a handle 52 and inte'gral yoke 56 the latter of which carries a bearing roller 60 on axle 58. As should be apparent when the handle is pivoted counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. I, the bearing roller 60 will be moved out of contact with the frame member 22. Such movement to an out of the way position-enables member 22 ,to be swung or pivoted away from the stationary frame portion so that a floating mandrel 62, more fully. described hereinafter,

can be easily positioned within the feed roller assembly 10.

The assembly also includes a motor, brake and clutch unit 30 which acts through spur gears 32 to drive each of the rollers 14. This then provides a positively driven roll pair which in their operational position are biased into contact at nip 26 by the locking mechanism 50.

Also attached to the frame 12 is a cutting device or knife 44. A fluid cylinder 42 activates the knife through a reciprocatory to oscillatory translation mechanism 40, thus sweeping the knife across the path of feed of the rollers 14. In a preferred construction, it is anticipated that the knife 44 be single acting so as to cut in one direction of movement only, however, a dual-acting knife may be suitably employed as desired. It should also be apparent that the intermittent operation of the motor combination 30 and fluid cylinder 42 must be synchronized to satisfactorily accomplish repetitive cutting of predetermined accurate lengths of any material that is fed between the rollers 14.

Now referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, one may gain a better appreciation for the feeding mechanism ll of this invention and which, in its most rudimentary form, includes the combined opposed driven feed rollers 14 and a floating mandrel 62. As is explained hereinabove, the mandrel is adapted to be inserted into a substantially continuous ribbon of flattened flexible tubular material 100 and is intended to open the material so that it may be cut to length and placed over a container or similar article that is to be sealed.

The floating mandrel 62 includes a generally cylindrical upper mandrel member 64 and a lower mandrel member 66 which are held in a spaced and predetermined relationship to one another by a support rod 84. As can best be seen in FIG. 3, this rod passes through each of the mandrel members 64, 66 and is securely yet removably fixed to the lower member by a set screw 86 and nut and washer assembly 87.

A rectangularly shaped stop collar 94 is also attached to the rod 84 at a position above the upper end 70 of the lower mandrel member 66. This collar is adjustable along the rod and is adapted to mate with a similarly shaped rectangular slot 96 in the lower end 68 of the upper mandrel member. It should be also apparent from FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 that the upper mandrel member 64 is maintained on the support rod 84 by an adjustment nut 92 which acts to force a coil spring or other suitable resilient means 90 against and into a counterbored area 69 of the member 64.

The adjustment nut 92 is movable along the extended threaded portion 88 of the support rod 84. Further, its placement therealong determines the degree of pressure that is transferred from the coil spring 90 to the upper mandrel member 64. Regardless, however, of the position of nut 92, the longitudinal movement of member 64 is confined between the spring and collar 94. In addition, due to the respective rectangular shapes of the collar 94 and slot 96, the upper mandrel member 64 is also restrained from any substantial rotational movement about the rod. Thus, simply by locking the collar 94, as witha set screw or the like, the upper mandrel member may be retained in any one of a number of desired orientations with respect to the lower mandrel member (i.e., both in terms of longitudinal separation and in angular attitude).

The relationship of feed rollers 14 to the floating mandrel 62 is also readily apparent from FIGS. 2, 3 an 5 wherein these rollers are shown in phantom outline. As was indicated above, these rollers are, in their operational position, urged by locking mechanism 50 into a mating side-by-side association producing the roller nip 26. At the same time, the floating mandrel 62 is positioned between and on each side of the rollers due to the accommodation of rod 84 in the roller grooves 28. Similarly, the lower end 68 of upper mandrel member 64 and the upper end 70 of lower mandrel member 66 are arcuately recessed at areas 74 so as to be spaced from but yetin close communication with the adjacent peripheral surfaces of rollers 14. This particular mandrel, roller construction means that the feed rollers 14 may extend laterally across the entire width of the feed ribbon and thus actively feed across the entire width thereof.

Additionally, each mandrel member has four idler rolls 98 (as are best seen in FIG. 4) mounted for rotation in roll recesses (unnumbered). Such adjacent mounting enables each roll to be exteriorly exposed in their respective arcuate recesses 74 and to protrude slightly therefrom. These exposed roller elements then are in a position to abut feed rollers 14 and to act in concert therewith. Therefore, a minimum drag or frictional effect is experienced between the mandrel 62 and rollers, and a positive driving effect is obtained inside of the tubular sleeve of material 100.

The particular means for securing rolls 98 to the mandrel members is optional, however, one preferred construction is shown in FIG. 4. There, one of each roll pair includes an integral shaftlike extension 99 that is adapted to accept a similar roll on its extreme end. This attached roll, of course, may be securely attached thereto in any suitable fashion, for example, with a set screw 101. Further, to assist in the rotary movement of these rolls 98, a sleeve of suitable bearing material 103 may be inserted in the mandrel member bore which is to accommodate the shaft 99.

Again referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, it will be apparent that the bearing pressure between the feed rollers 14 and idler rolls 98 may be varied by adjusting the nut 92. Such adjustment, of course, compresses the spring biasing the mandrel members more forcefully towards one another, which in turn varies the pressing contact between the rollers 14 and rolls 98. With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, note that this arrangement therefore provides three areas of positive feeding: (l) at the nip 26 between the feed rollers 14; (2) at the lines of contact between the rolls 98 and the upper mandrel member 64; and (3) at the lines of contact between the rolls 98 and the lower mandrel member 66.

In addition to the feeding aspect, the idler rolls, support rod and spring-loaded mandrel members when positioned on the feed rollers 14 function together to actively stabilize the mandrel rather than relying on gravity alone for such stabilization. So stable is the feeding mechanism 11 that it may be used as a part of a photoelectric sensing and control system more fully described hereinafter.

As should be obvious from the foregoing explanation, the ribbon of flattened flexible tubular material initially contacts the upper mandrel member at a conical tongue area 76. In addition to this area there are several other areas or flats 80 at various locations on both members 64, 66 which are in-- tended to assist in the passage of the material over the mandrel.

There is also a central portion 78 of the upper mandrel member 64 which has a peripheral measurement greater than that at any other point along either mandrel member. This portion is also intended to be oversize with respect to the particular fed ribbon and thus acts as a sizing die to stretch the ribbon as it passes thereover. It should be noted that this sizing is accomplished under tension because of the downstream pull of the rollers 14, 98, instead of under compression as would be the case if sizing were to be undertaken downstream of the rollers and rolls. Thus, as the ribbon passes over the lower mandrel member 66 and off the cylindrical terminus 82 thereof friction therebetween is reduced to a minimum.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 2 one will see that the lower end 68 of upper mandrel member 64 and the upper end 70 of lower mandrel member 66 include flared lips 72. These lips protrude outwardly from their respective members to accommodate and guide the ribbon of flexible tubular material as it is substantially reflattened and fed between the nip of the feed rollers 14. Such prevents a folding of the material upon itself and instead retains the original material integrity. Thus, the flattened ribbon is first opened and sized on the upper mandrel member 64 (i.e., upstream of the feed rollers). Thereafter, the material is substantially reflattened as it is fed between the feed roller nip 26, however, as it exits the nip over the inside acting idler rolls, it is reopened and exits the cylindrical terminus 82 in the shape thereof. Note, in particular, that the cylindrical terminus 82 of the lower mandrel member 66 is also as short as possible, thus negating frictional drag.

This is in essence accomplished due to the elimination of iongitudinal mandrel movement in the feeding action.

A package or container to be sealed is preferably conveyed to a'position below or adjacent the cylindrical terminus. The feed rollers 14 are then activated in response to an electrical or other suitable signal, thus inserting the desired sleeve length over the package. The feed is thereafter discontinued in response to a similar signal and the cutter is activated to sever the material at a point between the terminus and the package top. Conveyance of the packageis then continued to its next station. it should be pointed out that although this particular disclosure relate to the direct placement of the tubular sleeve on a container, it may be equally advantageous to insert the opened and severed sleeve into a transfer mechanism which will at some remote point in time deposit the sleeve on an appropriate package.

' In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus control system, a photoelectric cell 102 is positioned adjacent the upper mandrel member 64 in an attitude suitable for sensing the presence of printed or similar indicia on the tubular material. This linked with a similar signal indicating the presence of a properly positioned container will function to initiate and terminate feeding and activate the cutter 44 in synchronization. Although cell 102 is shown to be scanning upstream from feed rollers 14, other locations may be equally satisfactory.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications may be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaimi l. A mandrel adapted for feeding and opening a flattened flexible tubular material and comprising: upper and lower mandrel members, support. means adapted to separate said members such that each is maintained in a predetermined orientation with respect to the other and to resiliently mount one of said members for movement longitudinally along said means, and rotatable elements secured'to said mandrel members which are adapted to assist in feeding said tubular material.

2. A mandrel according to claim 1 herein at least a portion of said upper mandrel member has a peripheral extent greater than the maximum peripheral extent of said lower mandrel member.

3. A mandrel according to claim 1 wherein the lower and upper ends respectively of said upper and lower mandrel members include opposed arcuately recessed areas'adjacent which are positioned said rotatable elements.

4. A mandrel according to claim 3 wherein said lower and upper mandrel member ends protrude outwardly from said mandrel members so as to accommodate and guide said tubular material as it passes over said arcuately recessed areas.

5. A mandrel according to claim 3 wherein two each of said rotatable elements are secured adjacent and extending into each arcuately recessed area of both the upper and lower mandrel members.

6. A mandrel according to claim 5 wherein said support means includes a support rod fixedly yet removably fastened to and extending from said lower mandrel member at the upper end thereof, an adjustable stop collar secured to said rod at .a point spaced from said upper end, and a resilient means connected to the extended portion of said rod and acting against said upper mandrel member biasing same along said rod and into contact with said collar.

7. A mandrel according to claim 6 wherein the lower end of said upper mandrel is slotted so as to accommodate aid collar which positions said mandrel in a predetermined orientation with respect thereto.

8. A banding machine adapted for feeding, opening and severing a ribbon of flattened flexible tubular material and comprising: a feeding mechanism including a pair of opposed Y and driven feed rollers which are adapted to grip and feed said flattened material between the nip thereof, a knife positioned downstream from said feeding mechanism which is operable in synchronization therewith, and a mandrel adapted to 5 receive said tubular material thereover and positioned both up and downstream of said feed rollers and including upper and lower mandrel members, support means adapted to separate said members such that each is maintained in a predetermined orientation with respect to the other and to resiliently mount one of said members such that each is maintained in a predetermined orientation with respect to the other and to resiliently mount one of said members for movement longitudinally along said means, and a plurality of idler rollers secured to each of said members and positioned so as to actively engage said feed rollers and stabilize said mandrel thereagainst with said tubular material pressed therebetween.

9. A banding machine according to claim 8 wherein said feed rollers are substantially centrally grooved so as to accommodate a portion of said support means therebetween and in which the ends of said upper and lower mandrel members adjacent said feed rollers include arcuate recessed areas that are so shaped to closely receive the feed rollers in such manner that said members extend partially around said rollers.

10. A banding machine according to claim 9 wherein said support means includes a support rod removably secured to said lower mandrel member and extending therefrom between said feed rollers, and a resilient means acting against said upper mandrel member biasing same along said rod and into contact with said feed rollers.

11. A banding machine according to claim 10 wherein said resilient means is adjustably positionable such that the pressure between said idler rolls and feed rollers is adjustable.

I 12. A banding machine according to claim 8 wherein one ,of said feed rollers is pivotally mounted with respect to the other and a locking mechanism is positioned adjacent thereto so that in operation said rollers may be securely retained in juxtaposition.

l3. In a banding machine, a feeding mechanism for feeding a ribbon of flattened flexible tubular material comprising: a pair of driven feed rollers in side-by-side relationship and respectively adapted to frictionally engage the opposite outer sides of said flattened ribbon during the feeding thereof between said rollers, said rollers having similar ribbon engaging surfacesextending more than the width of said ribbon, at floating mandrel adapted to be received within said ribbon and provided with plurality of idler rolls for stably supporting said mandrel between said rollers with the sides of said ribbon being interposed therebetween, and an adjustable resilient means positioned on said mandrel such that said idler rolls and the feed rollers are biased against one another.

14. A banding machine according to claim 7 wherein a sensing means positioned adjacent said mandrel and material activates said feed rollers and knife in a timed relationship responsive to an indicia on said material.

lar material comprising:

conducting said tubular material onto and over a mandrel member supported by a feed roller arrangement; initially opening said material to a shape conforming to that of the mandrel; stretching the material in conformance with its original maximum manufactured tolerance peripheral size; substantially reflattening said ribbon as it passes between the feed roller arrangement; and, finally reopening said material as it exists said arrangement and passes onto and over another mandrel member. 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the reopened tubular material is fed from said another member onto an article and is thereafter severed to a desired length.

15. A method of opening a ribbon offlattened flexible tubu-' 

1. A mandrel adapted for feeding and opening a flattened flexible tubular material and comprising: upper and lower mandrel members, support means adapted to separate said members such that each is maintained in a predetermined orientation with respect to the other and to resiliently mOunt one of said members for movement longitudinally along said means, and rotatable elements secured to said mandrel members which are adapted to assist in feeding said tubular material.
 2. A mandrel according to claim 1 herein at least a portion of said upper mandrel member has a peripheral extent greater than the maximum peripheral extent of said lower mandrel member.
 3. A mandrel according to claim 1 wherein the lower and upper ends respectively of said upper and lower mandrel members include opposed arcuately recessed areas adjacent which are positioned said rotatable elements.
 4. A mandrel according to claim 3 wherein said lower and upper mandrel member ends protrude outwardly from said mandrel members so as to accommodate and guide said tubular material as it passes over said arcuately recessed areas.
 5. A mandrel according to claim 3 wherein two each of said rotatable elements are secured adjacent and extending into each arcuately recessed area of both the upper and lower mandrel members.
 6. A mandrel according to claim 5 wherein said support means includes a support rod fixedly yet removably fastened to and extending from said lower mandrel member at the upper end thereof, an adjustable stop collar secured to said rod at a point spaced from said upper end, and a resilient means connected to the extended portion of said rod and acting against said upper mandrel member biasing same along said rod and into contact with said collar.
 7. A mandrel according to claim 6 wherein the lower end of said upper mandrel is slotted so as to accommodate aid collar which positions said mandrel in a predetermined orientation with respect thereto.
 8. A banding machine adapted for feeding, opening and severing a ribbon of flattened flexible tubular material and comprising: a feeding mechanism including a pair of opposed and driven feed rollers which are adapted to grip and feed said flattened material between the nip thereof, a knife positioned downstream from said feeding mechanism which is operable in synchronization therewith, and a mandrel adapted to receive said tubular material thereover and positioned both up and downstream of said feed rollers and including upper and lower mandrel members, support means adapted to separate said members such that each is maintained in a predetermined orientation with respect to the other and to resiliently mount one of said members such that each is maintained in a predetermined orientation with respect to the other and to resiliently mount one of said members for movement longitudinally along said means, and a plurality of idler rollers secured to each of said members and positioned so as to actively engage said feed rollers and stabilize said mandrel thereagainst with said tubular material pressed therebetween.
 9. A banding machine according to claim 8 wherein said feed rollers are substantially centrally grooved so as to accommodate a portion of said support means therebetween and in which the ends of said upper and lower mandrel members adjacent said feed rollers include arcuate recessed areas that are so shaped to closely receive the feed rollers in such manner that said members extend partially around said rollers.
 10. A banding machine according to claim 9 wherein said support means includes a support rod removably secured to said lower mandrel member and extending therefrom between said feed rollers, and a resilient means acting against said upper mandrel member biasing same along said rod and into contact with said feed rollers.
 11. A banding machine according to claim 10 wherein said resilient means is adjustably positionable such that the pressure between said idler rolls and feed rollers is adjustable.
 12. A banding machine according to claim 8 wherein one of said feed rollers is pivotally mounted with respect to the other and a locking mechanism is positioned adjacent thereto so that in operation said rollers may be securely retained in juxtaposition.
 13. In a banding machine, a feeding mechanism for feedIng a ribbon of flattened flexible tubular material comprising: a pair of driven feed rollers in side-by-side relationship and respectively adapted to frictionally engage the opposite outer sides of said flattened ribbon during the feeding thereof between said rollers, said rollers having similar ribbon engaging surfaces extending more than the width of said ribbon, a floating mandrel adapted to be received within said ribbon and provided with plurality of idler rolls for stably supporting said mandrel between said rollers with the sides of said ribbon being interposed therebetween, and an adjustable resilient means positioned on said mandrel such that said idler rolls and the feed rollers are biased against one another.
 14. A banding machine according to claim 7 wherein a sensing means positioned adjacent said mandrel and material activates said feed rollers and knife in a timed relationship responsive to an indicia on said material.
 15. A method of opening a ribbon of flattened flexible tubular material comprising: conducting said tubular material onto and over a mandrel member supported by a feed roller arrangement; initially opening said material to a shape conforming to that of the mandrel; stretching the material in conformance with its original maximum manufactured tolerance peripheral size; substantially reflattening said ribbon as it passes between the feed roller arrangement; and, finally reopening said material as it exists said arrangement and passes onto and over another mandrel member.
 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the reopened tubular material is fed from said another member onto an article and is thereafter severed to a desired length. 